You are here

National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month

On December 31, 2013, President Barack Obama proclaimed January as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. He called upon private businesses, civil society groups, faith leaders, families, and individuals to recognize the vital role they can each play in ending all forms of modern slavery.

For governments, now is the time to take the next steps forward in this struggle. That requires stepping up efforts to bring traffickers to justice, protect survivors, and prevent trafficking, while at the same time pushing for new standards in procurement and labor recruitment that will help ensure governments aren't making this problem worse.

For leaders in the private sector, now is the time to embrace the idea that fighting modern slavery is good business, and to make this effort a part of corporate policies and practices. That requires taking a hard look at supply chains and labor recruitment to make sure goods and services are coming to market free of abuse and exploitation.

For advocates, activists, and service providers, now is the time to come together to share and replicate effective practices and develop new innovations, and to leave behind any ideological divisions that have fractured this movement in years past. That requires keeping our focus fixed on victims and survivors, listening to what they can teach us, and making sure they have the support and services they need to heal and move forward with the lives they choose for themselves.

For individuals everywhere, now is the time to learn about the way this crime intersects with our lives, and to learn what we can do to contribute to a solution. That requires sharing information about how consumer practices fuel the demand for forced labor, and being aware of this crime in our communities and of what to do if we see it.

And for countries and communities that still deny the existence of this problem or their responsibility to address it, now is the time to join us. That means adopting and enforcing laws consistent with international standards. It means treating all victims of this crime—victims of sex trafficking and forced labor; immigrants and citizens; adults and children; men, women, and transgender individuals—with compassion and dignity. And it means providing survivors of this crime with the help and support they need to move on with their lives, and listening to their voices as we chart the path forward in this effort.

About the Author: Ambassador Luis CdeBaca leads the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons.

Comments

Comments

gaby m.

|

United States

January 26, 2014

sirs ,slavery is forcing people to do some ,work ,or some prostitution ,or some terrorism acting by frighting,people ,or forcing them ,to do what they ,do not want to do ,and they know.that they steal their will ,and their lives some times,there are many kind of modern slavery not only ,in the usa of america ,but in the wide word. banks ,they make people,slaves when they give them money, some companies ,make people work with less money than they deserve,even some times without money,there are also in many countries,traders ,exporters importers ,sell for the people the merchandises ,in ahigh price ,and nobody punish them

Tili A.

|

California, USA

February 1, 2014

This is not just over seas this is happening HERE TOO!!! I just saw a woman with 2 children who sits outside Safeway and another woman who stands in front of Food for less placing their Children in front of long hours begging for money, using the Children to make money saying that they are homeless. I know that there are services that can help these women yet they want to put their Children as Pawns! I donate to salvation army and other services where they can get the help needed. Tili

Osaka M.

|

Massachusetts, USA

April 5, 2014

The new ambassador of Qatar in the US acts as a Master dreaming of owning slaves, pretty much like what he did in France that he thinks is wayyyyyy better than savage Americans. "And for countries and communities that still deny the existence of this problem or their responsibility to address it, now is the time to join us. That means adopting and enforcing laws consistent with international standards." I am afraid that the dude respects neither international standards nor American norms.